Rep. Carlos Guimenez (R-FLA.) announced on Tuesday that he is interested in a leadership role on the House Homeland Security Committee, as current Speaker Mark Greene (R-Tenn.) plans to depart from Congress.
Gimenez, a former Fire Chief, Miami Mayor, and current council member, believes that his extensive experience would make him a strong candidate to lead the committee focused on the critical missions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“My background in public safety, executive leadership, and crisis management positions me uniquely to lead this committee, especially as our nation faces significant threats, both domestically and internationally,” Gimenez mentioned in a letter addressed to a colleague.
Representing Florida’s District 28, the southernmost district in the U.S., he has witnessed firsthand the severe human, economic, and security impacts of the Biden Harris administration’s Open Border Agenda. “Every day, our maritime borders are challenged in my district,” he added.
Greene is stepping down after President Trump’s significant legislative efforts to explore opportunities in the private sector, leaving the committee position open for Guimenez.
His district, previously held by Democrats, is diverse, housing many immigrants, particularly from Latin America. While he generally supports Trump’s border policies, he has disagreed with the administration on certain matters.
Alongside other Florida Republicans, Gimenez has urged the Trump administration to rethink plans to end temporary protections for individuals from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti. “We need to evaluate these situations individually instead of applying blanket deportations,” he remarked to The Hill in May.
However, Guimenez is not the sole contender for this role.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) has also expressed interest, particularly focusing on cybersecurity issues. Meanwhile, Michael Guest (R-Miss), who chairs the House Ethics Committee, has stated that he has been working closely with the committee since joining Congress and enjoys the subject matter.
“With Greene’s announcement of his upcoming resignation, I will talk it over with my family, friends, and staff to determine how I can best serve the interests of Mississippi,” Guest shared with a local outlet.
